Hotel Howard Johnson by Wyndham Spokane (Spokane, USA)

It's all pretty basic here. A refrigerator, minibar and microwave.. are all among the items that you won't find in your room! You can, though, request a room which includes some of these items. There's no suggestion that you are being promised anything other than very basic accommodation. That said, the price is also ‘fancy free' so, if looking for somewhere just to rest your head, you'll be happy here.

There's a warm welcome from the front desk staff members who are very friendly and attentive. The room is clean and the bed is comfortable. You can choose a smoking or non-smoking room.

The motel is centrally situated so Spokane's shops and restaurants are very handy. In one direction, Shari's restaurant is open 24 hours. Turn the other way and the Old European provides wide ranging daytime menus. Later dining restaurants include Golden Corral, Jimmy John's and Green Burrito. Supermarkets include Zip Trip, Quik Stop, Albertson's and Trader Joe's. Useful, if your room includes a fridge and microwave!

There's no sound insulation so, from your room, you get noise from the neighbours and from the corridor traffic. Outside, there's a lot of night time traffic noise.

They do provide breakfast but it's best avoided. ‘Continental Breakfast' means different things to different people. Here, they've opted for small portions of items that require minimal or nil preparation. Avoid getting the day off to a disappointing start ... and have breakfast in one of the nearby cafes.

The non-smoking room stinks of stale cigarette smoke and there's evidence of carefree drug dealing among other guests, many of whom seem to be staying here for the duration.